Taking the Fall

by W. Ferraro

  Her heart wanted to weep.

  “Molly . . .” he spoke softly and the pain became so evident once more, “I was so foolish. So completely mindless, and because of it, we both paid the price.”

  Now she held his head to her, soothing him and encouraging him to move past it. Because she knew if she dwelled, it would take its toll on her and them.

  “Come on, none of that. We both need to look forward not backward. Besides, would you really want things to be completely different? Remember, if you say so, then Leah wouldn’t be in this world.”

  That reality had Hunter agreeing somberly, but Molly knew regardless of what she said, Hunter would carry the guilt nonetheless.

  Molly knew she needed to lighten the mood so she pulled her eyes away from him and the thoughts that were swirling around her and looked out over the park. From this vantage point, she could see the empty basketball courts as well as a playground. Many mothers with their little ones climbed, slid, and swung unaware of their audience.

  That gave her a fresh, happy topic.

  “So, we got sidetracked.” She smiled coyly. “When is Leah coming?”

  Hunter stood, bringing her along with him, and they began their walk again with entwined fingers.

  “Eight days, not that I’m counting, and I really want you to get to know her better.”

  His desire to have her close to Leah tickled Molly, but it also brought the seriousness of what they were doing to light.

  “You sure?” she asked hesitantly.

  This had Hunter stopping once more.

  “Absolutely!” Hunter turned her so she faced him and with a hand on each of her arms, he made sure she heard and understood his words’ meaning. “Molly, I know we have details and specifics to work out, but as far as I’m concerned, this is a serious and monogamous relationship you and I are in.”

  Her stomach couldn’t help but dip when she heard his words, but she was nervous about the involvement of a new relationship, one that was so intense from the beginning and bringing their children into it.

  He must have sensed her flooding concerns because Hunter moved his arms and cupped her face. “You, me and our girls. I don’t care how many hurdles are in our way. I’ve waited long enough for you, and I will not let anything as frivolous as preset logistics or societal guidelines guilt you in any way.”

  He is too kind to me. My fear is that evident.

  “I’m also not just talking about how anyone else sees our relationship. I’m also speaking of the speed in which you and I move.” Hunter placed a soft kiss on her lips before continuing, “We will take this, however, slow as you want. I’m not going to lie and say I am not eager for a physical relationship, but I also won’t rush you. Okay?”

  Molly grabbed hold of his wrist where they rested and tipped her face upward, and sassed happily, “Okay. Because I would hate for my decade long dreams to bring me to a

  level of expectations that are just not feasible.”

  “Baby, your dreams are G-rated compared to how we will burn up the sheets, I’m sure.”

  He kissed her forehead sealing his promise.

  Oh boy.

  “Finished with our walk?” he asked regardless that they hadn’t even made it a half mile.

  Molly nodded suddenly desperate to be out of the public’s eye and alone with Hunter.

  Hunter led her back to their cars, not even offering her the chance to get in her own car. He opened the passenger door to his Jeep and closed it once she was inside. He rounded the hood, climbed inside, and practically peeled out of the parking spot heading toward his house. Molly was glad to see he was as excited as she, but she had no idea what he had in store for her already.

  They arrived at Hunter’s place, and Molly suddenly felt a new sense of nervousness. The tri-story townhouse was an end unit and looked immaculate on the outside, leaving little doubt that the inside would be anything but. There was no denying that the complex screamed money. Molly had known of its existence but never ventured past the keypad gate . . . until now. He pulled into the garage under and smiled at her before getting out. He waited for her at the back of the Jeep before grabbing her hand and pulling her along in his wake. They climbed an open foyer staircase where the landing to the main living level could be seen.

  Molly figured for sure he would give her a tour of his home, but that thought flew from her mind when she saw what awaited her. In the dining area section of the open concept space was a slider that led to a private deck. In the reflection of the glass, the two dozen long stem pink roses looked dull and ordinary in comparison to the actual elegance of the arrangement that overtook the pub height black veneer table. Two place settings of brushed nickel colored plates sat upon black and gray woven mats. Charcoal colored satin napkins rolled with black wired knots awaited company at the table and a pedestal silver champagne bucket shined with two obviously expense champagne flutes hanging from its edges. The sleek looking bottled that laid in ice spoke of money if the French label was of any assistance.

  Hunter placed his hand at the small of her back propelling her forward. He pulled out one of the high riveted leather chairs. She began to ask, but he placed his index finger on his lip indicating for her to remain quiet. He disappeared back the way they came only to appear a minute later carrying a large silver domed tray in one hand and an impressive balancing act of a silver carafe and clear bottle obviously filled with orange juice.

  Hunter placed all on the table before removing the dome. The sight was amazing, but the smell of what was just uncovered had Molly’s mouth watering.

  French crepes of golden perfection and two clear covered serving tureens, one filled with fresh strawberries and another of fluffy whipped cream. An additional bowl filled with all cuts of fresh fruit rounded out the spread.

  “What’s all this?”

  “Brunch” he answered proudly as he plucked a bloom from the overflowing vase, handing it to her before taking his own seat.

  “You shouldn’t have,” Molly said suddenly feeling underdressed and unprepared.

  Unaware of her self-doubt, he offered, “Would you like champagne or a mimosa?” pulling the chilled bottle out from its ice bed.

  “Uh, a mimosa please,” she answered hesitantly.

  “No pressure, beautiful. I can make you tea if you’d prefer?” he stated causing her to melt at his knowledge of her preferred hot beverage.

  She extended her hand to his arm and squeezed before answering confidently, “Mimosa, please.”

  Molly watched as Hunter undid the foil in expert fashion, removing the cork and caught the exploding foam with an awaiting flute. When both flutes were filled with champagne and orange juice, he handed her a flute and raised his. “To looking forward.”

  “To looking forward,” Molly agreed, and they clinked glasses.

  Before too long, most of the crepes had been eaten and each plate had remnants of strawberry seeds, juice, and warmed cream. Their conversation flowed well as topics touched upon Leah’s impending arrival and what they planned to do while she was visiting, to Sammy’s solo in the school band, as well as the restaurant’s overzealous usual customers.

  Molly watched as Hunter cleared and cleaned the table all the while insisting she not lift a finger. When he returned, he brought a square flat pink satin box tied with a deeper pink satin ribbon and an eager face.

  “Hunter, this has already been too much,” she stressed.

  “Honestly, it isn’t much. Just something I’ve held onto and I want you to have.”

  Molly offered him a kiss before turning her attention to the box that suddenly had her very nervous. With slightly shaky fingers, she undid the beautiful, expensive ribbon and pulled the lid off. Pulling back the white tissue paper, an all too familiar sight looked back at her. Encased in a simple silver frame was the picture her mother had taken of the two of them so many years ago. She lifted the frame and grazed her fingers over the cool glass.

  With Molly still staring at hi
s gift, Hunter spoke quietly, “One of my mom’s many care packages when I was at Yale had that photo in it. I can’t tell you how many times or for how long I would stare at it. My memory has always been sharp and especially vivid when it came to you, but this photo was evidence that I hadn’t conjured you up. I know the reason for the picture was nothing but benign, but I always thought it would be the first of many.”

  Molly looked at him and knew if events were different; it very well could have been one of the thousands.

  “In fact, it was the first night I got to at least answer a question of yours honestly.”

  His cryptic statement had her searching his face for meaning.

  He smiled and grabbed a hold of her hand, “You had asked me when you were looking at the common’s tree if I had ever seen anything so beautiful. I took sanctuary in your diverted attention, and I looked my fill of your face up close. I saw how soft your hair looked against her shoulders and how the mascara you wore enhanced each lash. I also was able to answer you truthfully. However, I wasn’t speaking of the tree’s beauty.”

  Her eyes dropped as she remembered that moment vividly—to hear him describing what she had always hoped to be the truth had her catching her breath.

  “Even after everything had gone south,” they both smiled at his description, “I found myself looking to it more than I cared to admit. I just never could bring myself to throw it away.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t,” she answered, pulling out the hinged stand and placing it on the table between them.

  “Truth was that even when I was angry and hurt, I still wanted you. Even in the darkness of the first few months, I still dreamed about you as often and clearly as I did before. Maybe it was my self-conscious trying to tell me something, but I do know that no matter how many times I say I’m sorry, there will always be another reason or moment for me to apologize for.”

  She should have said what she was feeling, but instead she spoke, “Hunter, you need to stop. We are moving forward, right?”

  “I want to,” he admitted in a whisper.

  Molly slid off her seat and walked into his open embrace. She placed a finger on his chin and answered, “Then, no more talk of it. It will never be something we can forget, but that doesn’t mean it has to rule everything.”

  “You really are amazing, you know that?”

  With an air of cockiness, she answered, “Yes, it is one of my many fine perks, if I do say so myself.”

  Molly accepted his kiss, which tasted of strawberry sweetness mixed with champagne and oranges.

  “So, what would you like to do this morning?”

  She blushed at the possibilities of such a question.

  “Remember, I said your speed,” he replied gentlemanly.

  She was so relieved that he had no physical expectations, but she would be lying to herself if the thought of having no limits didn’t arouse her a bit.

  Touching him, feeling him, and smelling his hypnotic cologne had her almost teetering on the fence of to hell with it.

  But as usual, safeness and fear won out.

  “How about a movie? It has been forever since I actually got to sit uninterrupted and enjoy a movie that wasn’t Disney based,” she asked hoping he didn’t find her request silly, but truth was it sounded absolutely heavenly to her.

  “Movie, it is. And lucky for you, I’m fresh out of Disney ones.”

  They walked the short distance to where the large black leather couch was. Molly got comfortable on the impeccably soft seat while Hunter scanned through the digital catalog on the sixty-inch flat screen that hung over the gas fireplace. They both agreed on a newly released romantic comedy. Hunter leaned back against the cushion, placing his feet up on the coffee table, and extended his arm around Molly, bringing her close to his side. A spot she easily cuddled into

  They actually made it halfway through the movie before Hunter began nibbling at her ear. That soon turned to kissing which turned into roaming hands and eventually a completely forgotten movie.

  Hunter leaned over Molly, who was now on her back against the wide leather cushions, each still clothed but both breathing heavily.

  “Do you want to stop?” Hunter asked.

  Do I want to stop? Hell no! But should we stop, yes.

  Hunter’s sexy dimple appeared as his smooth laugh echoed off the walls.

  Molly looked at him perplexed.

  “Beautiful, I think you meant to keep that thought to yourself. But I’m glad I’m not the only one wanting to take this further.”

  She blushed for realizing her faux pas and that earned her another steamy kiss from the good doctor.

  With a grunt of displeasure, Hunter moved himself away from her before sitting on the far end of the sofa. She honestly thought the distance between them would remain, but he hooked his grip around her ankle and easily slid her over to him. With an easy enough adjustment, she sat across his lap and one of his hands rested across her thighs while the other wrapped around her back, holding her to him.

  She blushed at the hardness under her thigh.

  “When can I see you again?” Hunter asked eagerly. “I owe you a proper date.”

  A date. It had been so long, Molly almost forgot what one of those was like and she was sure none of hers from her past were anywhere near the same level as one with Hunter would be.

  “Bob has the girls again on Sunday for the night. Unless you have to be at the hospital?”

  “If Sunday is when you are available, then I will make myself available.”

  Soon it was time to leave; they got back in Hunter’s Jeep and headed to Molly’s car. As soon as he pulled out of the townhouse complex, Hunter reached for her hand. They entwined their fingers, and Molly couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. As they waited at a red light, she found her mouth forming words that her brain was screaming for her to keep to herself.

  “How come you never married?”

  Well, if that isn’t just right up in his business, Molly.

  Truth was she had always been curious.

  Hunter seemed to ponder the answer to that question, and just when she didn’t think he would answer, he lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles.

  “After Leah was born, I decided that she was the female who would be the center of my attention. Between my career and Leah, it left little time for other things.”

  Molly didn’t respond, just took in his answer and swirled it around her head.

  “How about you? What happened between you and Bob?” Hunter probed, seemingly not caring that there was less than genuine sincerity in his tone.

  “Honestly, I should have never . . .” But as Molly began, to be honest, she felt perhaps this topic should remain taboo. Could she handle his opinion if she told him exactly how she felt?

  “Never what?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, embarrassed of how cruel her response would make her sound.

  “Promise you won’t think I’m the most horrid monster ever to walk the Earth?”

  Hunter laughed an ironic laugh at her description but little did he know, she honestly felt that way often when she thought of her and Bob’s coupling.

  Then somberly, it occurred to her that he had already thought such things.

  But as she treaded the muddy waters roaring inside of her as to what to say, he simply squeezed her hand and encouraged her to go at her speed.

  “I was wrong to accept his proposal,” she mumbled.

  “How so?”

  “At the time when a lot of friends were getting engaged or married, Bob and I had gone on a couple of dates. We were friends. I had known him for most of my life, and he was a really sweet man, and I enjoyed his company. I can’t say that I was unaware his feelings for me were outbalanced to those of mine, but one night he just popped the question and I found myself saying yes. I won’t be as cruel as to say I didn’t love him, but I can say that I didn’t love him as I should have when accepting a proposal.” She looked out the window,
and he squeezed her hand once more. She took strength from it and continued. “We had Jess not too long after. I won’t lie and say it was all bad; Bob worked very hard to make me happy, which was not always an easy task. When I found out I was pregnant with Sammy, I really tried to change my feelings for him and for us, for the sake of our daughters, but then after she was born and with the struggles of raising two girls and work, I just knew I couldn’t continue to live in an unbalanced marriage any longer. It wasn’t fair to him.”

  They pulled into the parking lot of the park and Hunter cut the engine but didn’t disengage his fingers from hers. He looked out the window for a moment before turning in his seat to give her all of his attention.

  “Always thinking of everyone else, huh? Shoving your feelings aside for the betterment of someone else.”

  “Hardly. I crushed him, and it was cruel.”

  “I think living a lie and giving him the false sense of happiness would be much crueler.”

  “That was my thought, but it didn’t hurt any less to see the pain and devastation I caused him,” Molly answered leaning her head back against the headrest.

  That sat in silence for a few moments longer when Molly knew it was finally time to part. It seemed difficult to get her body to respond to the commands of her brain to exit his car.

  Then Hunter voiced the same thing. “I really don’t want to let you go. I’ve enjoyed having you to myself.”

  How many times over the years had she dreamed and hoped he would say such words to her? Now that the day had come, she felt the need to pinch herself to ensure it was not a dream.

  “I’d hate for you to mar your beautiful skin.”

  I really need to stop doing that.

  Hunter hooked his hand behind her neck and pulled her toward him, bringing her lips to his. His kiss was filled with so much, and Molly felt the need to weep. She still couldn’t believe she was finally sharing a kiss with Hunter Dennison, the boy who stole her heart over half her life ago.

  And whether that thought was what made his kiss seem that much sweeter or that much more meaningful, she didn’t know, but all she could say was that he was a really good kisser. He was soft and gentle yet demanding and sure. He was equal parts gentleman and enigma, constantly making her want more. Making her question her own morals of what was acceptable. Mix in the softness of his lips and his scent swirled around her, making her dizzy with need.